DISCOVERING COMMUNITY POWER:
A GUIDE TO MOBILIZING LOCAL ASSETS AND YOUR
ORGANIZATION’S CAPACITY
A Community-Building Workbook
from the
Asset-Based Community Development Institute
School of Education and Social Policy
Northwestern University
2120 Campus Drive
Evanston, IL 60208-4100
John P. Kretzmann and John L. McKnight, Co-Directors
By
John P. Kretzmann and John L. McKnight, Co-Directors
with Sarah Dobrowolski, Project Coordinator
and Deborah Puntenney, Ph.D.
© 2005 by the ABCD Institute
Acknowledgments
Acknowledgments
Funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, the Asset-Based Community
Development (ABCD) Institute developed “Discovering Community Power: A
Guide to Mobilizing Local Assets and Your Organization’s Capacity.”
Please note: although this document is copyrighted, permission for use will be
granted upon notification of intended use to the ABCD Institute. Please email the
ABCD Institute (abcd@northwestern.edu) with the name of your group or
organization and a brief description of how you plan to use the Guide. This
information will help us with future research and evaluation.
The Guide is available to download freely on the W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s
website: www.wkkf.org and the ABCD Institute’s website:
www.northwestern.edu/ipr/abcd.html.
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Asset-Based Community Development Institute
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Introduction
Introduction
Strengthening Your Proposal – And Your Organization –
By Connecting With Community Assets
The W.K. Kellogg Foundation is very interested in proposals that both improve the
community and strengthen the applicant organization. Our experience indicates
that proposals which connect with and engage a wide range of community
resources are more effective than those which involve only the staff of the lead
organization. We are also convinced that non-profit organizations are much more
powerful community actors when they are not exclusively focused on needs,
problems, and deficiencies but are effectively connected to the resources, or assets,
of the local community.
This document will help any organization:
1. Strengthen its own organization by enhancing connections with the
community’s assets.
2. Strengthen the community by investing in the community’s assets.
3. Strengthen current and future community based projects, activities, and
proposals.
The following pages are divided into three sections to help applicants connect with
community assets.
Section One – How to assess and strengthen your proposal’s relationships
with and utilization of community assets; and
Section Two – How to identify and connect your non-profit organization’s
assets to this project.
Section Three – Tools which may be helpful in connecting both projects and
organizations to community assets.
Section Four – Information about the ABCD Institute.
In Section One of this manual, we will introduce a series of questions designed to
guide your reflections about a proposal’s relationships to five categories of
community assets. These include:
1. Local residents – their skills, experiences, passions, capacities and
willingness to contribute to the project. Special attention is paid to
residents who are sometimes “marginalized”.
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Introduction
2. Local voluntary associations, clubs, and networks – e.g., all of the athletic,
cultural, social, faith-based, etc. groups powered by volunteer members –
which might contribute to the project.
3. Local institutions- e.g. public institutions such as schools, libraries, parks,
police stations, etc., along with local businesses and non-profits – which
might contribute to the project.
4. Physical assets – e.g. the land, the buildings, the infrastructure,
transportation, etc. which might contribute to the project.
5. Economic assets – e.g. what people produce and consume, businesses,
informal economic exchanges, barter relationships, etc.
In Section Two, we will provide questions to guide you in asking about your own
organization’s wide range of assets, and their relationship to the proposed project.
In Section Three, you will find additional tools and illustrations to help you
connect your proposal and your organization with community assets.
In Section Four, you will find information about the ABCD Institute.
Throughout this document you will see several symbols repeated:
When you see this symbol, what follows is a really important idea.
*
When you see this symbol, what follows is the location of the page on which
you can find additional information.
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Asset-Based Community Development Institute
Introduction
3
Producing Strong Community-Based Projects
This document is based on the following simple equation:
Your Community’s Assets
Connected To (+)
Your Organization’s Assets
Produces (=)
Strong Community-Based Projects
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Section I:
An Asset-Based Framework to Explore Your Project
4
Section I
Index
How to assess and strengthen your proposal’s relationships with
and utilization of community assets.
Page 5:
Relationships with Local Residents
Page 6:
Relationships with Residents Who are Often Marginalized
Pages 7-8:
Relationships with Associations
Pages 9-10: Relationships with Institutions
Page 11:
Relationships with Physical Space
Pages 12-13: Relationships with the Local Economy
Page 14:
A Bridge to Resources Outside the Local Community
Page 15:
A Sample Community Asset Map
Page 16:
Your Community Asset Map
Page 17:
Connecting Your Community’s Assets to this Project
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Section I:
An Asset-Based Framework to Explore Your Project
Relationships with Local Residents:
Sustainable projects are often powerfully related to the
involvement of residents.
Example: In many communities, resident skills and interests are uncovered through the use
of “skills surveys” or “capacity inventories.” These communities discover that everyone has
gifts to contribute which can strengthen the community.
* For sample capacity inventories, see Section 3, pages 23-24.
Below are questions which gauge your project’s interaction with local residents.
•
Our project mobilizes the skills and capacities of local residents.
Not at All
1
2
Some
3
4
A Great Deal
5
Describe:
•
Our project works to enhance the skills and capacities of local residents.
Not at All
1
2
Some
3
4
A Great Deal
5
Describe:
•
Local residents help define our project objectives.
Not at All
1
2
Some
3
4
A Great Deal
5
Describe:
•
Local residents will act as:
Recipients
* For definitions of these roles, see Section 3, Page 25.
Information Sources
Participants
In Control
Describe:
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Section I:
An Asset-Based Framework to Explore Your Project
Relationships with Residents Who are Often Marginalized:
Communities are strengthened when organizations encourage and
support diversity. Often times, groups of people, like welfare
recipients, elders, youth and minorities, are marginalized and not
recognized as contributing citizens within their community.
Example: In Minneapolis, the enterprising skills of new Latino immigrants formed the
basis for the creation of the multi-million dollar Mercado Central, housing over 40 small
businesses.
These questions encourage you to think about your proposed project and how it
works to engage all community members and their strengths.
•
Our project values the diversity in the community.
Not at All
1
2
Some
3
4
A Great Deal
5
Describe:
•
This project invites participation from marginalized groups to be: * For
definitions of these roles, see Section 3, Page 25.
Recipients
Information
Sources
Participants
In Control
Minorities
People on
welfare
People w/
disabilities
Elders
Immigrants
Youth
Ex-Offenders
Other
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Section I:
An Asset-Based Framework to Explore Your Project
Relationships with Local Associations:
In many communities, voluntary networks of associations -large
and small, formal and informal - are overlooked. Sustainable and
effective projects work to engage these associations in
participation and governance.
Example: In many communities, choirs, sports groups, and reading clubs agree to join
together to support initiatives for young people or to involve older adults in community
life.
The questions below ask about your project’s relationship with local
associations.
•
* For a Master List of Associations, see Section 3, Pages 26-27.
Our project has extensive relationships with our community’s citizens’
associations.
Not at All
1
2
Some
3
4
A Great Deal
5
Describe:
•
For this project, citizens’ associations are: *For role definitions, see Section 3, Page 25.
Recipients
Information
Sources
Participants
In Control
Faith Based
Health groups
School groups
Outdoor groups
Block clubs
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Section I:
An Asset-Based Framework to Explore Your Project
Relationships with Local Associations (continued):
Recipients
Information
Sources
Participants
In Control
Service Clubs
Youth Groups
Unions
Arts organizations
Unnamed networks
Other
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Section I:
An Asset-Based Framework to Explore Your Project
Relationships with Local Institutions:
Every community has an array of local public, private and nonprofit institutions. Each of these institutions has resources –
such as personnel, space, expertise, equipment, and economic
power – that can be contributed to your project.
Example: Many institutions, such as schools, parks, libraries and hospitals, make their
space available to community and function essentially as community centers. For
example, a library’s meeting room can become a site for community group meetings or
teen club events.
Listed below are questions that help you to reflect upon your project’s
engagement of local institutions.
•
Our project has extensive relationships to institutions in the community.
Not at All
1
2
Some
3
4
A Great Deal
5
Describe:
•
This project engages/uses the institutional assets of:
Personnel/
Expertise
Economic
Power
Space & Constituents &
Equipment Connections
Other
Schools
Describe:
Libraries
Describe:
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Section I:
An Asset-Based Framework to Explore Your Project
Relationships with Local Institutions (continued):
Personnel/
Expertise
Economic
Power
Space & Constituents &
Equipment Connections
Other
Hospitals
Describe:
Police
Describe:
Service
Agencies
Describe:
Other
Non-Profits
Describe:
Businesses
Describe:
Other
Describe:
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Section I:
An Asset-Based Framework to Explore Your Project
Relationships with Physical Space:
Every community has physical assets, such as gardens, parks,
bike paths, housing, streets, playgrounds and parking lots. It is
particularly important that a community contain a variety of
public spaces where people can gather and meet.
Example: At Bethel New Life, a Chicago Community Development Organization,
brownfields are sites for employing residents newly trained in cleanup. An empty lot
represents an opportunity for community gardens. A transit stop, with its concentrated
pedestrian activity, is a business development opportunity and a new host for five
enterprises and a day care center.
Below are two simple questions asking about your project’s interaction with
physical assets and public spaces.
•
Our project utilizes the value of local physical assets.
Not at All
1
2
Some
3
4
A Great Deal
5
Describe:
•
Our project utilizes and enhances our community’s public spaces.
Not at All
1
2
Some
3
4
A Great Deal
5
Describe:
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Section I:
An Asset-Based Framework to Explore Your Project
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Relationships with the Local Economy:
Organizations and their projects have economic power. Who they
hire, what supplies they purchase, what skills they teach, and
what resources they offer all affect the local economy.
Example: In Blue Island, Illinois, and other communities, local businesses host senior
fairs and develop senior friendly practices. In many places, local associations and
institutions pledge to support “buy local” campaigns.
The series of questions below helps you to think about your project’s economic
impact on the community.
•
Our project is designed to enhance the local economy.
Not at All
1
2
Some
3
4
A Great Deal
5
Describe:
•
Our project identifies and mobilizes the enterprise and job-related skills of
local residents.
Not at All
1
2
Some
3
4
A Great Deal
5
Describe:
•
Our project identifies and directs local consumer spending toward enterprise
development and support of local businesses.
Not at All
1
2
Some
3
4
A Great Deal
5
Describe:
•
Our project mobilizes the savings of local residents to reinvest in
neighborhood economic development.
Not at All
1
2
Some
3
4
A Great Deal
5
Describe:
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Section I:
An Asset-Based Framework to Explore Your Project
Relationships with the Local Economy (continued):
•
Our project involves local citizen associations and institutions in business
and economic development efforts.
Not at All
1
2
Some
3
4
A Great Deal
5
4
A Great Deal
5
Describe:
• Our project employs local residents.
Not at All
1
2
Some
3
Describe:
•
Our project provides economic resources:
Not at All
Some
A Great Deal
-To local associations
1
2
3
4
5
-To local businesses
1
2
3
4
5
-To non-profits
1
2
3
4
5
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Section I:
An Asset-Based Framework to Explore Your Project
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A Bridge to Resources Outside the Local Community:
A sustainable and effective project will first look to identify and
connect assets within the community. After tapping into these
local assets, the project may need to look outside to satisfy
additional resource needs.
Example: A strong neighborhood group cleans up a blighted commercial strip and
attracts new business investment. On a smaller scale, a local neighborhood involves
residents in creating a children’s playground on a vacant lot, and persuades city
government to provide swings and teeter-totters.
Below are questions about whether your organization acts as a bridge to
external assets.
•
Our project builds relationships outside the local community:
Not at All
Some
A Great Deal
-To Institutions
1
2
3
4
5
-To Associations
1
2
3
4
5
-To Economic Resources
1
2
3
4
5
-To Government
1
2
3
4
5
Describe the connection to each of the external assets identified above:
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Section I:
An Asset-Based Framework to Explore Your Project
A Sample Community Asset Map
Review this sample community asset map. Use the next page to create an asset
map of your own community.
Associations
Animal Care Groups
Anti Crime Groups
Block Clubs
Business Organizations
Charitable Groups
Civic Events Groups
Cultural Groups
Disability/Special Needs Groups
Education Groups
Elderly Groups
Environmental Groups
Family Support Groups
Health Advocacy and Fitness
Heritage Groups
Hobby and Collectors Groups
Men's Groups
Mentoring Groups
Mutual Support Groups
Neighborhood Groups
Political Organizations
Recreation Groups
Religious Groups
Service Clubs
Social Groups
Union Groups
Veteran's Groups
Women's Groups
Youth Groups
Institutions
Schools
Universities
Community Colleges
Police Departments
Hospitals
Libraries
Social Service Agencies
Non Profits
Museums
Fire Departments
Media
Foundations
A Community Building Workbook
Physical Space
Associations
Physical
My
Community
Institutions
Individuals
Local Economy
Gardens
Parks
Playgrounds
Parking lots
Bike Paths
Walking Paths
Forest / Forest Preserves
Picnic areas
Campsites
Fishing spots
Duck ponds
Zoos
Wildlife center
Natural Habitats - coastal,
marine, amphibian
Bird Watching Sites
Star Gazing Sites
Housing
Vacant Land & Buildings
Transit stops and facilities
Streets
Individuals
Gifts, Skills, Capacities, Knowledge
and Traits of:
Youth
Older Adults
Artists
Welfare Recipients
People with Disabilities
Students
Parents
Entrepreneurs
Activists
Veterans
Ex-offenders
©2005
Local Economy
For-Profit Businesses
Consumer Expenditures
Merchants
Chamber of Commerce
Business Associations
Banks
Credit Unions
Foundations
Institutional - purchasing power
and personnel
Barter and Exchange
CDCs
Corporations & branches
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Section I:
An Asset-Based Framework to Explore Your Project
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Your Community Asset Map
Now that you have completed the questions on pages 5-14 and have
reviewed a sample community asset map (page 15), please fill in the types of
assets that can be found in your community.
Use the next page to connect these assets to your community based project.
Associations
Physical Space
Associations
Physical
My
Community
Institutions
Individuals
Local Economy
Individuals
Local Economy
Institutions
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Section I:
An Asset-Based Framework to Explore Your Project
Connecting Your Community’s Assets To This Project
When looking within your community, there are a number of assets
that can be used to strengthen your project.
Connections
Identify your Community’s assets.
How will these assets be connected
to your project?
ASSOCIATIONS
INSTITUTIONS
INDIVIDUALS
PHYSICAL
LOCAL ECONOMY
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Section II:
Connecting Organizational Assets to Community Assets
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Section II
Index
How to assess and strengthen your non-profit organization’s assets
in order to connect them to this project and to a wide range of
community assets.
Page 19:
A Window into My Organization
Page 20:
Creating an Inventory of Your Organization’s Assets
Page 21:
Connecting Your Organization’s Assets to This Project
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Section II:
Connecting Organizational Assets to Community Assets
A Window into My Organization
Review the types of assets that can be found within an organization.
Use the next page to document your own organization’s assets.
Personnel
Space and Facilities
Materials & Equipment
Expertise in/outside of job;
Ability to teach:
Art
Music
Athletics
Meeting Rooms
Break Rooms or Kitchen
Glass Display Cases
Computer Rooms
Drinking Fountains
Gardens
Bulletin Boards
Lobbies
Parking Lots
Bathrooms
Computers
Expensive Software
Desks, chairs, & other
Furniture
Scanner
Printing Equipment
Fax and Copier
Digital Camera
Individual abilities:
Finances
Community History Writers
Health Care
Individual Traits:
Ideas
Energy
Enthusiasm
Technical Training:
Computers
Communications
Vehicle Operations & Repair
Investigation and Research
Child Care
Telephones for hearing
impaired
Expertise
Classes:
Arts, Athletics, Math,
GED, Literacy, Language
Networks of Connections
Educational Workshops:
Crime Prevention
Computer Literacy
Healthy Eating
Storytelling
Leadership Skills
Knowledge of Community
Knowledge of Community
Leadership Development
Education & Training
Courses
Artworks
Literacy and GED materials
Community History Files
Information on Community
Organizations
Social Service Resources
Financial Information
Economic Power
Job Training
Sponsor Fundraisers
Constituents
Individual Abilities & Interests
Books, magazines, &
newspapers
Networks of
Connections
Hire Local People
Individual Traits:
Ideas, energy, idealism
Private Institutions
Assist in Writing and
Submitting Grants for
Community Projects
Linkages to Adults & Children
Public Institutions
Purchasing Power
Linkages to Community
Associations
Collective Abilities & Interests
Individuals
Power to generate & receive
special funds through bond
issues, government, and
foundations
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Section II:
Connecting Organizational Assets to Community Assets
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Creating An Inventory Of Your Organization’s Assets
Your organization is filled with people, knowledge, and materials that
should be recognized and shared. Now that you have reviewed page 19,
take a moment to:
•
•
•
Identify your organization’s assets
Document these assets
Use the next page to connect these assets to your project
A Window Into My Organization
Personnel
Space and Facilities
Materials and
Equipment
Expertise
Constituents
Economic Power
Networks of
Connections
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Section II:
Connecting Organizational Assets to Community Assets
Connecting Your Organization’s Assets To This Project
When looking within your organization, there are a number of assets that can
be used to strengthen your project.
Connections
Identify your organization’s assets.
PERSONNEL
How will these assets be connected
to your project?
EXPERTISE
ECONOMIC POWER
CONSTITUENTS
NETWORKS OF CONNECTIONS
SPACE & FACILITIES
MATERIALS & EQUIPMENT
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Section III:
Helpful Tools for Connecting Assets
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Section III
Index
Tools which may be helpful in connecting both projects and
organizations to community assets.
Page 23:
Sample – Capacity Inventory
Page 24:
Sample – Capacity Inventory
Page 25:
Residents and their Associations: A Power Ladder
Pages 26-27:
Master List of Associations
Page 28:
Partnerships with Associations
Page 29:
Partnerships with Institutions
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Section III:
Helpful Tools for Connecting Assets
Sample — CAPACITY INVENTORY
Developed by the New Prospect Baptist Church, Cincinnati, OH
INTRODUCTION
My name is ____________________ What is your name?
Thank you for coming over. Did someone talk to you about what the
“Gift Exchange” is all about? What do you understand it to be?
Basically, we believe that everyone has God-given talents and gifts that
can be used to benefit the community. I’d like to spend a few minutes
talking to you about your gifts and skills.
GIFTS
Gifts are abilities that we are born with. We may develop them, but no
one has to teach them to us.
1. What positive qualities do people say you have?
2 Who are the people in your life that you give to? How did you give it
to them?
3. When was the last time you shared with someone else? What was
it?
4. What do you give that makes you feel good?
SKILLS
Sometimes we have talents that we’ve acquired in everyday life such as
cooking and fixing things.
1. What do you enjoy doing?
2. If you could start a business, what would it be?
3. What do you like to do that people would pay you to do?
4. Have you ever made anything? Have you ever fixed anything?
DREAMS
Before you go, I want to take a minute and hear about your dreamsthese goals you hope to accomplish.
1.
2.
What are your dreams?
If you could snap your fingers and be doing anything, what would it be?
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Helpful Tools for Connecting Assets
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Sample — CAPACITY INVENTORY
Developed by Greyrock Commons Co-Housing Community, Ft. Collins, CO
GIFTS I CAN GIVE MY COMMUNITY
GIFTS OF THE HEAD (Things I know something about and would
enjoy talking about with others, e.g., art, history, movies, birds).
GIFTS OF THE HANDS (Things or skills I know how to do and would
like to share with others, e.g., carpentry, sports, gardening, cooking).
GIFTS OF THE HEART (Things I care deeply about, e.g., protection of
the environment, civic life, children).
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Section III:
Helpful Tools for Connecting Assets
Residents and their Associations:
A Power Ladder
Residents In Control
Residents control:
Goal Setting; Planning; Implementation
Residents As Participants
Residents participate
: in:
Goal Setting; Planning; Implementation
Residents serve on governing body
Residents serve on advisory group
Residents serve as advocates for the organization
Residents As Information Sources
Residents are part of focus groups
Staff consults with residents
Residents fill out need surveys
Residents As Recipients
Residents receive services
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Section III:
Helpful Tools for Connecting Assets
MASTER LIST OF ASSOCIATIONS
1. Addiction Prevention and Recovery
Groups
• Drug Ministry/Testimonial Group
for Addicts
• Campaign for a Drug Free
Neighborhood
• High School Substance Abuse
Committee
9. Disability/Special Needs Groups
• Special Olympics Planning
Committee
• Local American Lung Association
• Local Americans with Disabilities
Association
• Local Muscular Dystrophy
Association
2. Advisory Community Support
Groups (friends of…)
• Friends of the Library
• Neighborhood Park Advisory
Council
• Hospital Advisory Group
10. Cultural Groups
• Community Choir
• Drama Club
• Dance Organization
• High School Band
11. Environmental Groups
• Neighborhood Recycling Club
• Sierra Club
• Adopt-a-Stream
• Bike Path Committee
• Clean Air Committee
• Pollution Council
• Save the Park Committee
3. Animal Care Groups
• Cat Owner’s Association
• Humane Society
4. Anti Crime Groups
• Children’s Safe Haven
Neighborhood Group
• Police Neighborhood Watch
• Senior Safety Groups
12. Education Groups
• Local School Council
• Local Book Clubs
• Parent Teacher Association
• Literacy Council
• Tutoring Groups
5. Block Clubs
• Condominium Owner’s
Association
• Building Council
• Tenant Club
6. Business Organizations/ Support
Groups
• Jaycees
• Local Chamber of Commerce
• Economic Development Council
• Local Restaurant Association
7. Charitable Groups and Drives
• Local Hospital Auxiliary
• Local United Way
• United Negro College Fund Drive
8. Civic Events Groups
• Local Parade Planning Committee
• Arts and Crafts Fair
• July 4th Carnival Committee
• Health Fair Committee
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13. Elderly Groups
• Hospital Seniors Clubs
• Westside Seniors Clubs
• Church Seniors Clubs
• Senior Craft Club
14. Family Support Groups
• Teen Parent Organization
• Foster Parents’ Support Group
• Parent Alliance Group
15. Health Advocacy and Fitness
Groups
• Weight Watchers
• YMCA/YWCA Fitness Groups
• Neighborhood Health Council
• Traffic Safety Organization
• Child Injury Prevention Group
• Yoga Club
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Section III:
Helpful Tools for Connecting Assets
16. Heritage Groups
• Black Empowerment Group
• Norwegian Society
• Neighborhood Historical Society
• African American Heritage
Association
24. Religious Groups
• Churches
• Mosques
• Synagogues
• Men’s Religious Groups
• Women’s Religious Groups
• Youth Religious Groups
17. Hobby and Collectors Group
• Coin Collector Association
• Stamp Collector Association
• Arts and Crafts Club
• Garden Club of Neighbors
• Sewing Club
• Antique Collectors
25. Service Clubs
• Zonta
• Optimist
• Rotary Clubs
• Lions Clubs
• Kiwanis Clubs
18. Men’s Groups
• Fraternal Orders
• Church Men’s Organizations
• Men’s Sports Organizations
• Fraternities
26. Social Groups
• Bingo Club
• Card Playing Club
• Social Activity Club
• Dance Clubs
19. Mentoring Groups
• After School Mentors
• Peer Mentoring Groups
• Church Mentoring Groups
• Big Brothers, Big Sisters
• Rights of Passage Organizations
27. Social Cause/Advocacy/Issue
Groups
• Get Out the Vote Council
• Peace Club
• Hunger Organizations
• Vigil Against Violence
• Community Action Council
• Social Outreach Ministry
• Soup Kitchen Group
20. Mutual Support Groups
• La Leche League
• Disease Support (cancer, etc.)
• Parent-to-Parent Groups
• Family-to-Family Groups
28. Union Groups
• Industrial (UAW)
• Crafts Unions (Plumbing Council)
21. Neighborhood Improvement
Groups
• The Neighborhood Garden Club
• Council of Block Clubs
• Neighborhood Anti-Crime
Council
• Neighborhood Clean-up
Campaign
29. Veteran’s Groups
• Veterans of Foreign Wars
• Women’s Veterans Organizations
30. Women’s Groups
• Sororal Organizations
• Women’s Sports Groups
• Women’s Auxiliary
• Mother’s Board
• Eastern Star
22. Political Organizations
• Democratic Club
• Republican Club
31. Youth Groups
• After School Group
• 4-H
• Girl and Boy Scouts
• Junior Achievement
• Campfire Girls
23. Recreation Groups
• Kite-flying Club
• Bowling Leagues
• Basketball Leagues
• Body Builders Club
• Little League
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©2005
Asset-Based Community Development Institute
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Section III:
Helpful Tools for Connecting Assets
Partnerships with Associations
Use this tool to illustrate partnerships that your organization already has with
associations in your community and to think about new partnerships which
might be useful to this project and your organization.
EXISTING
Your
Organization
POTENTIAL
A Community Building Workbook
©2005
Asset-Based Community Development Institute
29
Section III:
Helpful Tools for Connecting Assets
Partnerships with Institutions
Use this tool to illustrate partnerships that your organization already has with
institutions in your community and to think about new partnerships which might
be useful to this project and your organization.
EXISTING
POTENTIAL
A Community Building Workbook
Your
Organization
©2005
Asset-Based Community Development Institute
30
Section IV:
Information About the ABCD Institute
Section IV
Index
Information about the ABCD Institute.
Page 31:
ABCD Institute Background Information
Page 32:
List of ABCD Adjunct Faculty Members
Pages 33-34:
List of ABCD Institute Publications
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Asset-Based Community Development Institute
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Section IV:
Information About the ABCD Institute
Asset-Based Community Development Institute, Northwestern University
Background Information
The ABCD Institute is frequently credited with changing the paradigm which
defines community development. The traditional approach started with a
struggling community’s needs, problems, and deficiencies, and advocated for
solutions from the outside. The ABCD Institute, now part of Northwestern
University’s School of Education and Social Policy, is built upon three decades of
community development research conducted by John Kretzmann and John
McKnight, and emphasizes the critical importance of beginning the development
process by discovering and mobilizing the resources and strengths, or assets, to be
found in even the most challenged communities.
The Institute grew out of a project that evaluated the interrelationships of local
associations, enterprises, and nonprofit organizations in cities around the country,
and the effect of large public and private system policies upon their functions.
Finding were reported in the well-known book, Building Communities from the Inside
Out: A Path Towards Finding and Mobilizing a Community’s Assets.
Today in hundreds of communities across five continents, ABCD initiatives focus
on identifying and utilizing the assets of a community – which include the skills of
local residents, the power of local associations, the resources of public, private and
nonprofit institutions, and the physical and economic resources of local places so
the community itself can respond to its own needs and issues.
The work of the ABCD Institute – spreading the lessons learned and working with
colleagues worldwide to explore new strategies which effectively develop
struggling communities - is carried out through two major approaches. First, the
Institute produces and distributes popular publications which share the strategies
and approaches used by communities that recognize and mobilize their assets for
effective development results (see the list of publications attached). Most of these
publications document the accomplishments, and the strategies which led to these
successes, of struggling African American and Latino urban communities, and of
rural communities which have been left behind.
Second, the Institute is composed of a talented and diverse ABCD “adjunct faculty”,
all of whom are dedicated to communicating asset-focused approaches to
community building through the provision of technical assistance and training.
These 33 ABCD Institute colleagues cover 16 states, as well as Canada and Italy.
They work in a variety of organizational settings, including government, education,
community organizing and development, funders and universities. About half are
women and a third - including some of the most active ABCD leaders – are people
of color. These powerful African American, Latino and Asian American leaders
have been crucial in developing and spreading asset-focused approaches to
successful and sustainable community development.
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Asset-Based Community Development Institute
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Section IV:
Information About the ABCD Institute
ABCD Adjunct Faculty Members
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
Paul Arntson
Michael Bennett
Irene Brown
Rev. James Conn
Tom Dewar
Jim Diers
Dan Duncan
Al Etmanski
John Fish
Janis Foster
Bob Francis
Mike Green
Terry Grundy
Lisa Hadden
Terry L. Holley
Karen Lehman
Rev. Craig J. Lewis
Evanston, IL
Chicago, IL
La Palma, CA
Santa Monica, CA
Bologna, Italy
Seattle WA
Tucson, AZ
Vancouver, Canada
Chicago, IL
Hallettsville, TX
Bridgeport, CT
Denver, CO
Cincinnati, OH
Saginaw, MI
Knoxville, TN
Golden Valley, MN
Minneapolis, MN
18. Diane Littlefield
Sacramento, CA
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
Cincinnati, OH
Charleston, SC
Savannah, GA
Madison, WI
Chicago, IL
Chicago, IL
Evanston, IL
Rev. Damon Lynch
Bernie Mazyck
Henry Moore
Tom Mosgaller
Mary Nelson
Michelle Obama
Deborah Puntenney
26. Frank I. Sanchez
27. Paul Schmitz
28. Geralyn Sheehan
Roswell, NM
Milwaukee, WI
Northfield, MN
29. Judith Snow
Ontario, Canada
30. Luther Snow
Decorah, IA
31. Richard Townsell
Chicago, IL
32. Byron P. White
Cincinnati, OH
33. Dianne Williams
Little Rock, AR
A Community Building Workbook
©2005
Northwestern University
DePaul Urban Egan Center
BP Foundation
Methodist Urban Strategy
University of Bologna
South Downtown Foundation
United Way of Tucson & So. Arizona
Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network
Princeton Project 55
Neighborhood Small Grants Network
RYASAP
ABCD Training Group
United Way and Community Chest
Healthy Community Partners
East Tennessee Foundation
Leadership Consulting & Coaching
Church & Community Development
Consultant
Health and Community Development
Consultant
New Prospect Baptist Church
SC Association of CDC’s
ABCD Training Group
Marshall Erdmann and Associates
Bethel New Life
University of Chicago Hospitals
Nonprofit and Community
Development Consultant
Needmor Foundation
Public Allies
Organizational and Community
Development Consultant
Consultant on Community
Development & People with
Disabilities
Rural and Faith Based Community
Development Consultant
Lawndale Christian Development
Corporation
Community Building Institute, Xavier
University
Organizational and Community
Development Consultant
Asset-Based Community Development Institute
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Section IV:
Information About the ABCD Institute
ABCD Institute Publications
"Building Communities from the Inside Out: A Path Toward Finding and
Mobilizing a Community's Assets," written by John P. Kretzmann and John L.
McKnight
Workbooks
A Guide to Mapping and Mobilizing the Economic Capacities of Local Residents –
presents a model for exploring how individuals make choices about heir purchases,
and about how much they spend on specific items. Written by John Kretzmann,
John McKnight, and Deborah Puntenney (1996).
A Guide to Mapping Local Business Assets and Mobilizing Local Business
Capacities – outlines a plan for learning about the businesses in a community and
how they can be mobilized in community development efforts. Written by John
Kretzmann, John McKnight, and Deborah Puntenney (1996).
A Guide to Mapping Consumer Expenditures and Mobilizing Consumer
Expenditure Capacities – provides instructions for identifying and mobilizing the
marketable capacities and skills of local residents. Written by John Kretzmann, John
McKnight, and Deborah Puntenney (1996).
A Guide to Capacity Inventories: Mobilizing the Community Skills of Local
Residents – provides clear examples of how eleven communities across the United
States developed and used capacity inventories for community building and offers
valuable tips for conducting and using capacity inventories in your community.
Written by John Kretzmann, John McKnight, and Geralyn Sheehan, with Mike
Green and Deborah Puntenney (1997).
A Guide to Evaluating Asset-Based Community Development: Lessons, Challenges,
and Opportunities – explores the challenges involved in evaluating communitybuilding activity and suggests some promising ways to document the progress and
draw out the lessons being learned. Written by Tom Dewar (1997).
A Guide to Creating a Neighborhood Information Exchange: Building Communities
by Connecting Local Skills and Knowledge – presents a simple method for sharing
local resources among community members through the operation of a capacity
listing-and-referral service operated by volunteers on a minimal budget. Written by
John Kretzmann, John McKnight and Deborah Puntenney (1998).
City-Sponsored Community Building: Savannah's Grants for Blocks Story –
illustrates how a city’s resident controlled small grants program enabled citizens to
design and implement projects to improve their neighborhoods. Written by
Deborah Puntenney and Henry Moore (1998).
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Section IV:
Information About the ABCD Institute
A Guide to Mapping and Mobilizing the Associations in Local Neighborhoods outlines steps for collecting and organizing information about neighborhood citizen
associations and for identifying and using their potential to build better
communities. Written by Nicol Turner, John McKnight, and John Kretzmann (1999).
Leading by Stepping Back: A Guide for City Officials on Building Neighborhood
Capacity – describes how Savannah created a citizen-centered government that
allows it to work with local residents to improve troubled neighborhoods and build
a stronger community. Written by Henry Moore and Deborah Puntenney (1999).
The Organization of Hope: A Workbook for Rural Asset-Based Community
Development – shares a set of stories and lessons meant to spread the good news
that the asset-based approach is working in rural communities. Written by Luther
Snow (2001).
Community Transformation: Turning Threats into Opportunities presents the
stories of eight communities that transformed economic threats into opportunities
by mobilizing local people to work together to overcome obstacles and build
stronger economies. Written by Luther Snow with the assistance of Uchenna
Ukaegbu (2001).
Asset-Based Strategies for Faith Communities – reports the stories of a variety of
faith-based initiatives that have increased the well being of both congregations and
their communities. Written by Susan Rans and Hilary Altman (2002).
Building the Mercado Central: Asset-Based Development and Community
Entrepreneurship – describes how asset-focused and community organizing approaches
were combined to unleash the economic power of Minneapolis’ immigrant Latino
community. Written by Geralyn Sheehan (2003).
Related Publication
A Guide to Building Sustainable Organizations from the Inside Out: An
Organizational Capacity Building Toolbox from the Chicago Foundation for
Women – provides a set of definitions and tools for evaluating and increasing the
sustainability of organizations using asset-based development principles and
methods. Written by Deborah Puntenney (2000).
* For additional information and resources on the asset-based approach, please visit the
Asset-Based Community Development Institute’s web site
www.northwestern.edu/ipr/abcd.html.
A Community Building Workbook
©2005
Asset-Based Community Development Institute